Held under the patronage of H.E. Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy & Industry of the State of Qatar, MEED's 8th annual Qatar Projects conference, takes place from January 8-9 2011, at the Grand Hyatt, Doha, Qatar. H.E Al-Attiyah will also provide the keynote address on the first morning of the conference. IBQ is Platinum Sponsor for the third year running. Qatar Petroleum is the Strategic Partner of this year's conference. Other supporters of the event include CitiBank, Mott MacDonald and Patton Boggs LLP.

MEED's Qatar Projects 2011 will see the presence and participation of over 350 international and regional attendees and over 40 expert speakers, stakeholders and decision-markers of Qatar's energy and non-energy sectors to discuss, through 27 interactive sessions, a range of issues including the economic and financial landscape, plans for the downstream and upstream energy markets, power and water infrastructure, Qatar's National Vision 2030 and Masterplan, transportation, social and healthcare development plans, Sports, real estate and urban planning and industrial investment opportunities. The conference will also include a Masterclass to be held on February 7 highlighting the essential risk assessment and strategy planning for contractors doing business in Qatar.

Edmund O'Sullivan, Chairman of MEED Events said: "Qatar Projects 2011 is an essential event for anyone doing business, or wishing to do business, with the world's fastest-growing economy. It will provide detailed information about the opportunities emerging in all areas of the Qatari economy as the country continues on its remarkable and comprehensive development programme.

"Qatar Projects 2011 is the best opportunity for networking with all those behind the next phase of Qatar's capital investment programme helping define the long-term strategy for Qatar and the wider Gulf."

According to online projects tracking database, MEED Projects, there are about 240 projects currently planned or underway in Qatar with a total value topping USD 260 Billion. This includes some mega, world-class projects such as Doha's International Airport, the Barzan Gas Project, the Shell Pearl Project and Education City development.

George Nasra, Managing Director of IBQ added: "The Qatari government is clearly making considerable development strides towards diversification. There are several challenges associated with managing the world's fastest-growing economy and with the ambitious objectives of building a socioeconomic system that is primarily funded by non-energy revenues and therefore this is really the opportune time for corporate heads and decision-markers to get together to share best practice strategies and lay the ground for Qatar's long-term growth path. Our partnership with MEED Events is symbiotic as we believe that this is the region's leading platform for networking and business."

"Qatar has consistently been the third largest projects market in the GCC, after the UAE and Saudi Arabia, thanks to its ambitious LNG programme and infrastructure plans," says Ed James, Head of MEED Insight. "With the collapse of the Dubai real estate sector, contractors, consultants and suppliers alike are paying increasing attention to the opportunities Qatar is now providing. Surging LNG export revenues provide the government with the financial firepower to push ahead with its project plans ensuring that the state will be an active and attractive market for years to come."

About 58 per cent of the projects are already in an execution stage. The top 10 projects in Qatar have planned to invest about USD 119 Billion and are expected to be completed between 2011 and 2015. The projects Index for Qatar has grown by an impressive 27 per cent over last year, owing to the government's steadfast plans to boost infrastructure. These metrics are all a reflection of Qatar's hectic economic and development activity.